Classic & Vintage - Can steel steerer tubes be replaced?

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Ride-Fly
08-09-10, 05:23 PM
If I pick up a bike with a threaded steerer, is it possible to replace the steerer tube without having to replace the entire steel fork? I don't like quil stems and most old steel Bianchis have threaded steerers. I know I can get an adapter but I am unsure about those things.

Andrew F
08-09-10, 05:26 PM
I think you'll find help in the Mechanics forum.
miamijim
08-09-10, 05:32 PM
I'm sure they can, forks generaly consist of 6 parts:

1-Steerer tube
1-Crown
2-legs
2-ends

I'm sure John D. Thompson will be along shortly to give a definitive answer.

Ride-Fly
08-09-10, 05:44 PM
I think you'll find help in the Mechanics forum.

Didn't even think about that. Thanks for the tip.
bobbycorno
08-09-10, 05:50 PM
I think you'll find help in the Mechanics forum.

...or Framebuilders.

SP
Bend, OR
jmichaeldesign
08-09-10, 06:15 PM
If you want a new steerer brazed into the fork you'll also have to repaint it. My guess is it would be atleast $100 to replace the steerer without paint. Either use an adapter such as this one , http://www.velo-orange.com/vothstad.html, or get a different fork. Or just suck it up and use a quill stem. They look a whole lot better anyway.
Fissile
08-09-10, 07:17 PM
If you want a new steerer brazed into the fork you'll also have to repaint it. My guess is it would be atleast $100 to replace the steerer without paint. Either use an adapter such as this one , http://www.velo-orange.com/vothstad.html, or get a different fork. Or just suck it up and use a quill stem. They look a whole lot better anyway.

Yup. I know all about the advantages of threadless, but it still looks like industrial pipe fittings to me. And yes, a steel steer tube can be replaced, but unless the bike is super valuable, it makes no sense. Actually, if the bike where super valuable, it would make sense to replace the steer tube only if it were damaged -- replaced with another threaded tube.
unterhausen
08-09-10, 07:37 PM
some framebuilders will splice a tube onto the a stump of the steerer. I see no reason to do such a thing in this case. Just get a quill adapter, they work fine.
ftwelder
08-10-10, 02:47 AM
I splice steerers with a full-penetration TIG weld. I takes 10 mins and requires no painting.
kknh3
08-10-10, 05:58 AM
Here's another adapter to consider.

Soma High Rider (http://store.somafab.com/sohiristad.html)
unworthy1
08-10-10, 10:49 AM
ftwelder is probably cheaper, but Bernie Mikelsen in Alameda, CA does that sort of "transplant" all the time, I had a threaded steerer made into a threadless to try it out, wasn't sold on the benefits afterall and went back to a threaded fork on that bike.
If you really want (or think you do) the "whole package" of threadless: the "simpler" headset and the variety of stems as well as the fork column then an adapter won't provide it: you have to weld.
Bianchigirll
08-10-10, 11:13 AM
If you want a new steerer brazed into the fork you'll also have to repaint it. My guess is it would be atleast $100 to replace the steerer without paint. Either use an adapter such as this one , http://www.velo-orange.com/vothstad.html, or get a different fork. Or just suck it up and use a quill stem. They look a whole lot better anyway.


I agree. I think I saw this on the Spectrum repair/paint price list and it was not cheap. a Chome fork from Soma would be the same cost and.... if ever sell the frame you still have the original fork.

but by all means give the quill a chance